Spaniard keeps Marchante on after Basque win

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2006

ZALLA, Spain (AFP) — Spaniard Jose Angel Gomez Marchante of Saunier-Duval scored a shock win in the Tour of the Basque country, edging out earlier leader Samuel Sanchez of Euskaltel to bag overall victory following a 24km time-trial at Zalla.

Gomez Marchante, 25, had been 9sec adrift going into the time-trial but burnt up the track to see off allcomers, coming in 6sec ahead of fellow Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, whom he edged out in the overall standings by 7sec.

"I thought I might squeeze into the top three, but I never thought I'd win. It's a great surprise," Gomez Marchante said.

Another home rider, Antonio Colom, placed third as Gomez Marchante landed his first Pro Tour victory in his third year as a professional after a whirlwind ride on the hilly...